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Earthquakes - 6th Grade

Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 
The type of seismic waves that arrive at the surface first and move by compressing and expanding the ground like an accordion are called
a.
S waves.
b.
P waves.
c.
Surface waves.
d.
Mercalli waves.
 

 2. 
S waves are also known as
a.
primary waves.
b.
secondary waves.
c.
surface waves.
d.
focus waves.
 

 3. 
Compared to P waves and S waves, surface waves move
a.
faster.
b.
slower.
c.
at the same rate.
d.
farther from the epicenter.
 

 4. 
Which scale would most likely be used to tell how much earthquake damage was done to homes and other buildings?
a.
the Richter scale
b.
the Mercalli scale
c.
the moment magnitude scale
d.
the seismic scale
 

 5. 
What does a seismograph record?
a.
the Mercalli scale rating for an earthquake
b.
the speed of seismic waves
c.
the ground movements caused by seismic waves
d.
the location of the epicenter
 

 6. 
Which of the following can cause damage days or months after a large earthquake?
a.
the arrival of surface waves.
b.
liquefaction.
c.
a tsunami.
d.
an aftershock.
 

 7. 
If the Coast Guard warns of a giant wave of water approaching the shore as a result of a major earthquake, they are warning of
a.
an aftershock.
b.
liquefaction.
c.
a tsunami.
d.
landslides.
 

 8. 
A building designed to reduce the amount of energy that reaches the building during an earthquake is called a
a.
fixed-base building.
b.
wood-frame building.
c.
base-isolated building.
d.
brick building.
 

 9. 
The best way to protect yourself in an earthquake is to
a.
run as fast as you can.
b.
drop, cover, and hold.
c.
go into the basement.
d.
stand under a tree.
 

 10. 
Geologists know that wherever plate movement stores energy in the rock along faults,
a.
earthquakes are not likely.
b.
earthquakes are likely.
c.
an earthquake is occurring.
d.
an earthquake could never occur.
 

 11. 
The risk of earthquakes is high along the Pacific coast of the United States because
a.
there have been no earthquakes there lately.
b.
serious earthquakes are rare east of the Rockies.
c.
satellites have detected increasing elevation of the ground surface.
d.
that’s where the Pacific and North American plates meet.
 

 12. 
Most earthquake-related deaths and injuries result from
a.
tsunamis.
b.
damage to buildings or other structures.
c.
liquefaction.
d.
P waves.
 

 13. 
In what direction do seismic waves carry the energy of an earthquake?
a.
away from the focus
b.
toward the focus
c.
from the surface to the interior
d.
through the mantle only
 

 14. 
What type of earthquake wave can travel through both liquids and solids?
a.
P waves
b.
S waves
c.
focus waves
d.
surface waves
 

 15. 
The rating system that estimates the total energy released by an earthquake is called the
a.
Richter scale.
b.
moment magnitude scale.
c.
mechanical seismograph scale.
d.
Mercalli scale.
 

 16. 
Geologists cannot yet predict earthquakes because
a.
they have too much data.
b.
they can’t be sure when and where stress will be released along a fault.
c.
they need to know where all past earthquakes occurred.
d.
there are too many faults to monitor.
 

Completion
Complete each sentence or statement.

Word Bank
 

 17. 
The seismic waves that travel along Earth’s surface and produce the most severe ground movements are called ____________________.
 

 

 18. 
Vibrations that move through the ground carrying the energy released during an earthquake are called ____________________.
 

 

 19. 
The scale that measures the strength of an earthquake based on seismic waves and movement along a fault is called the ____________________ scale.
 

 

 20. 
Earthquake waves that vibrate from side to side and up and down only through solids are known as ____________________.
 

 

 21. 
The ____________________ scale accurately rates the size of seismic waves only for small, nearby earthquakes.
 

 

 22. 
An earthquake that occurs shortly after a larger earthquake is a(n) ____________________.
 

 

 23. 
The point beneath the surface where rock breaks and an earthquake starts is the ____________________.
 

 

Short Answer
 
 
Use the diagram to answer each question.

earthquake_test_files/i0270000.jpg
 

 24. 
How do California and Nevada compare in possible severity of earthquake damage?
 

 25. 
According to the map, which part of the United States is least likely to suffer earthquake damage?
 

Essay
 

 26. 
Distinguish between the focus and the epicenter of an earthquake.
 

 27. 
Explain the difference between P and S waves in an earthquake.
 

 28. 
Which is likely to experience more damage during an earthquake, a house built on a solid rock ledge or a nearby house built on a soil river bank? Explain your answer.
 



 
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